Raccoon video has Coeymans police in hot water

March 13, 2018 10:58 AM

A cell phone video recorded here in the Capital Region is being viewed around the world. It shows Coeymans Police killing what they say is a rabid raccoon with their vehicles. The viral video is causing an uproar.

A Ravena resident shared the video on Facebook Monday that has left locals looking for answers. The video shared online has been viewed more than a million times and shows Coeymans police vehicles killing a raccoon as what some are saying an inhumane way in the Faith Plaza parking lot.

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"I was kind of shocked, to be honest with you. It looked like they were having a little too much fun," noted Andrew Sabatino, one of the witnesses.

That reaction after a video went viral Monday on Facebook. The video shows Coeymans police hitting a raccoon in the Faith Plaza parking lot multiple times. Sabatino could not believe his eyes.

"I was just passing through and I see two cops kind of going all over the road and when I stopped and looked I saw a raccoon and they were playing cat and mouse with it," he recalled.

Other locals who then saw the video on Facebook had similar reactions.

"There’s no reason for that. It was not attacking anyone. If it was, I'd say take precaution. He looked feared. He was just in the wrong place," noted Sunnie, another witness.

Coeymans Police Department has posted a statement on its Facebook page:

"On March 12 we received numerous calls about a rabid raccoon in Faith Plaza. The raccoon had attempted to get into the establishment at one point. Our officers did find the raccoon, but it was not in an area that was safe to discharge a firearm due to the proximity of pedestrians and residences. They dispatched the raccoon as quickly and humanely as possible."

"It’s tough. You don't want to go shooting off a firearm with everyone here, but I think the best way about it would have been keep an eye on it and call animal control," suggested Sabatino.

NewsChannel 13 couldn't find any who felt this was the right way to handle to talk on camera. Some are even are demanding recourse for the behavior.

"I think they should be sat down and talked to about it, 'cause that was a little inhumane way of taking care of business," asserted Sabatino.

NewsChannel 13 reached out several times to the Coeymans Police Department, the town and officials involved in local animal control and no one would return our call.